A Recipe for Summer Fun in the Sun (And Mad Skewer Skills)

Summer is meant for outdoor family fun. What better way to break a sweat than to grab the family and go to the nearest park and play?

Primal play is one of the greatest things we adults can do for ourselves and for our kids. Allow your kids to see you playing and enjoying the outdoors while being turned off from the world. No phone, no gym members, no box - just you, family, and nature.

Primal play takes us back to when we were kids playing the games many of us grew up enjoying: tag, hide and seek, three-legged races, potato sack races, jumping rope, and the list goes on. Check out this video of one of my favorite leaders in the primal play movement and Breaking Muscle contributor, Darryl Edwards, the Fitness Explorer:

Have a Paleo Skewer Party

Come on - you know it’s time to grab the calendar, pick a date and location, and prepare to spend a day outside the box and in the grass. Not only will you gain vitamin D, but you can also experience the benefits of grounding by putting your feet directly on the earth.

"Allow your kids to see you playing and enjoying the outdoors while being turned off from the world."

To make the day more enjoyable, pack a picnic for everyone. Better yet, make this family affair an almost no-cook paleo skewer party. Skewers make food fun, interesting, and creative.

Use the picture below as a guide, but you can load the skewer sticks any way you want. These are my recommended, tried-and-true versions that have had the crowd roaring with applause. Any leftovers have been known to make great Mason jar meals, too.

Note: Items noted organic are encouraged due to the high pesticide load these fruits and vegetables are known to have. When eating summer produce, it is best to watch pesticide load, as our consumption tends to increase in the summer months.

You may also want to pack:

Nut butters: These make a nice addition to the apple slices.

Lettuce: Drizzle it with extra-virgin olive oil and Balsamic vinegar and store in a Mason jar to add those nutrient-rich greens our bodies love.

And don’t forget:

Blankets

Chairs

Plates

Napkins

Towels

Preparation Tips:

Cook the meat ahead of time and enjoy at room temperature.

Soak the skewers in water for at least an hour prior to loading with your desired foods. This prevents the wood from burning when grilling and helps the food to cook evenly.

I would also recommend purchasing a chemical-free, natural wood charcoal. Consider saying goodbye to liquid starters and briquettes and hello to wood if you have not already.

Method:

Preheat grill for about 15 minutes.

Place sausage and fruit over medium heat on the grill for about 7 minutes each side.

Place the hot dogs on the grill the final 7 minutes of grilling so they all come off the grill around the same time.

If you would like the fruit to caramelize and char, cook it 10 minutes before adding the other items. Enjoy!